Visiting ducks

Encounters with a recorder quartet,by BASIL RAMSEY

As professional recorder playing goes this group is adventurous and nimble
with it. The programme -- ducks notwithstanding -- puts us completely
in the dark, only to dawn as we listen and allow our ears to pick up and
absorb at least some of the variety of styles, all linked with today. The
group has to provide the composers with an authentic sounding board.

On that premise there is no doubt that Sirena plays well and obviously
interprets the music to the composers' satisfaction. At that point
we as listeners enter this territory and judge with our ears. We are not
talking safe and comfortable music but that which is expressed by creators
drawing music out of whatever source they choose, and influenced by the
general environment.

Personal choice becomes essential in such a variety of music. I, for
instance, particularly enjoy Meijering's Sitting Ducks [listen -- track 1, 0:20-1:20] and Ryohei Hirose's
Idyll 1 [listen -- track 5, 0:50-1:50].
That choice does not imply shortcomings with the rest. All of it is from
composers who know how to project music with capable performers.